The India vs Sri Lanka rivalry is one of the most enthralling and exciting contests in one-day international (ODI) cricket.
India and Sri Lanka clashed for the first time in ODI cricket in Manchester in 1979. The Bandula Warnapura-led Sri Lanka beat India by 47 runs in the Prudential World Cup clash.
The Sri Lankan cricket team later travelled to India for their first ODI series in September 1982. Kapil Dev’s India whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.
Three years later, Sri Lanka hosted India in another three-match ODI series. The series ended 1-1. Since then, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other frequently in the ODI format.
The Indian cricket team holds a superior head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket, winning 96 of the 165 matches that they have played so far. Sri Lanka have registered 57 wins. As many as 11 matches have ended with no results, while one match was tied.
Both the sides have registered numerous records during their thrilling battles and here’s a closer look at India vs Sri Lanka ODI records and stats.
India vs Sri Lanka ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest team total in India vs Sri Lanka in ODIs. During the first ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2009, the hosts recorded a massive total of 414/7 in their 50 overs in Rajkot. Put in to bat, India rode on Virender Sehwag’s 146 and fifties from MS Dhoni (72) and Sachin Tendulkar (69) to post a huge total on the board. In reply, Tillakaratne Dilshan (160), captain Kumar Sangakkara (90) and Upul Tharanga (67) almost pulled off an incredible run-chase, however, just fell short by three runs.
Lowest team total
India also registered the lowest team total in this ODI fixture in 2000 against the Lankan Lions. Chasing 300 against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy, the Sourav Ganguly-led India were bowled out for 54 in 26.3 overs in Sharjah. Robin Singh (11) was the only Indian cricketer to score in double digits in that innings. Left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas was the wrecker-in-chief for Sri Lanka with five wickets for just 14 runs in his 9.3 overs. Earlier, captain Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 189 off 161 balls to power Sri Lanka to 299/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
Most runs
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar scored the most runs in India vs Sri Lanka ODIs. Between 1990 and 2012, the former right-handed batter amassed 3,113 runs in 84 matches at an average of 43.84 and strike rate of 87.54. Tendulkar slammed eight hundreds and 17 fifties against Sri Lanka in the 50-over format. His highest ODI score against Sri Lanka is 138. For Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record for the most ODI runs against India. He accumulated 2,899 runs in 89 ODIs at an average of 36.23.
Most wickets
Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan picked up the most wickets in this ODI fixture. The legendary off-spinner bagged 74 ODI wickets in 63 matches against India at an average of 31.78 and an economy of 4.28. He registered his best ODI bowling figures of 7/30 versus India during a Champions Trophy clash in Sharjah in 2000. Among Indian bowlers, Zaheer Khan scalped the most wickets in the India vs Sri Lanka ODIs. The former left-arm fast bowler claimed 66 wickets in 48 matches at an economy of 4.98.
Highest individual score
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the highest individual score in India vs Sri Lanka ODIs. During the fourth ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2014, Rohit Sharma smashed the world record for the highest score in a one-day international (ODI) innings at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Rohit scored 264 off just 173 balls, laced with 33 fours and nine maximums. India won the match by a massive 153 runs.
Best bowling figures
Muttiah Muralitharan registered the best bowling figures in India vs Sri Lanka ODIs. The former Sri Lankan spinner finished with figures of 10-1-30-7 during the sixth match of Champions Trophy in Sharjah in 2000. Muralitharan took the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Singh, Vinod Kambli, Yuvraj Singh, Hemang Badani and Vijay Dahiya to help Sri Lanka bowl out India for 226 in 48.5 overs and register a comprehensive 68-run victory.
Highest partnership
Former Indian batters Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid hold the record for the highest partnership in India vs Sri Lanka ODI cricket. The Indian duo forged a 318-run stand for the second wicket against Sri Lanka during their ICC World Cup 1999 clash in Taunton. While Ganguly slammed 158-ball 183, Dravid was dismissed for 145 off 129 balls. India won the match by 157 runs.
Photo credit: Alamy
